South Africa through State-owned utility Eskom has launched tender for design, engineering, procurement, construction, and commissioning of a 19.5 MW solar plant.
This solar plant is the first phase of a larger plan to expand capacity to 600 MW at the site, depending on feasibility assessment. Eskom aims to award the contract by November, with construction expected to start in 2024.
READ:Togo launches hydrogeological studies for Lomé’s aquifers
Scope of work
The development will be set up at the 105.8 MW Sere wind farm in South Africa’s Western Cape Province. The project will involve ground-mounted solar panels with a lifespan of at least 25 years, covering less than 20 hectares of land. The plant will connect to the 132 kV Skaapvlei substation through a 132/22kV transformer.
The deadline for submitting applications is September 12, and the winning contractor will also manage operations and maintenance for the first two years. South Africa has a large potential for clean energy. Energy demand within the country is expected to rise steadily and double by 2025
The country has a rich renewable resource base, particularly in solar, wind and biomass. Besides this, the government has set ambitious targets for emission reductions and the future share of renewable energy in the national energy mix. Policies are developed to stimulate renewable energy development and steer the South African energy market towards a more sustainable direction. This provides interesting opportunities for cooperation between South Africa and other countries.